Your Guide to Prenatal Appointments

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Typical prenatal appointment schedule

Read this next, what happens during a prenatal care appointment, what tests will i receive at my prenatal appointments, what will i talk about with my practitioner at prenatal care appointments , first trimester prenatal appointments: what to expect, second trimester prenatal appointments: what to expect, third trimester prenatal appointments: what to expect, questions to ask during prenatal appointments  .

Prenatal care visits are chock-full of tests, measurements, questions and concerns, but know that throughout the process your and your baby’s wellbeing are the main focus. Keep your schedule organized so you don’t miss any appointments and jot down anything you want to discuss with your doctor and your prenatal experience should end up being both positive and rewarding.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting , 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,  Having a Baby After Age 35: How Aging Affects Fertility and Pregnancy , 2020. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,  Routine Tests During Pregnancy , 2020. US Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health,  Prenatal Care and Tests , January 2019. Journal of Perinatology ,  Number of Prenatal Visits and Pregnancy Outcomes in Low-risk wWomen , June 2016. Mayo Clinic,  Edema , October 2017. Mayo Clinic,  Prenatal Care: 2nd Trimester Visits , August 2020. Mayo Clinic,  Prenatal Care: 3rd Trimester Visits , August 2020. Jennifer Leighdon Wu, M.D., Women’s Health of Manhattan, New York, NY. WhatToExpect.com, Preeclampsia: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment , April 2019. WhatToExpect.com, Prenatal Testing During Pregnancy , March 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Urine Tests During Pregnancy , May 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Fetal Heartbeat: The Development of Baby’s Circulatory System , April 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Amniocentesis , Mary 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Ultrasound During Pregnancy , April 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Rh Factor Testing , June 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Glucose Screening and Glucose Tolerance Test , April 2019. WhatToExpect.com, Nuchal Translucency Screening , April 2019. WhatToExpect.com, Group B Strep Testing During Pregnancy , August 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  The Nonstress Test During Pregnancy , April 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Biophysical Profile (BPP) , May 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Noninvasive Prenatal Testing , (NIPT), April 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  The Quad Screen , February 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) , February 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  The First Prenatal Appointment , June 2019. WhatToExpect.com,  Breech Birth: What it Means for You , September 2018.

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Prenatal visits: What to expect and how to prepare

Regular prenatal visits are an important part of your pregnancy care. Find out how often you'll see a healthcare provider, what to expect at each appointment, and smart ways to prepare.

Layan Alrahmani, M.D.

When to schedule a prenatal visit

Prenatal visitation schedule, how should i prepare for a prenatal visit, what happens during prenatal visits, how can i make the most of my pregnancy appointments.

Make an appointment for your first prenatal visit once you're aware you are pregnant – when you receive a positive home pregnancy test, for example. Booking it around week 8 of pregnancy is typical.

You'll come back regularly in the weeks and months following that initial appointment. Most people have between 8 and 14 prenatal visits throughout the course of their pregnancy.

During this time, you'll see a lot of your healthcare practitioner. That's why it's so important to choose someone you like and trust. If you're not comfortable or satisfied with your provider after your first visit or visits, don't be afraid to find someone with whom you have a better connection.

Typically, a pregnant woman will visit their doctor, midwife , or nurse practitioner every four weeks during the first and second trimesters. In the third trimester, you'll be seen more often – usually every other week until 36 weeks, and then every week until the baby is born.

For more information on what happens at these visits, see:

Your first prenatal visit

Second trimester prenatal visits (14 weeks to 27 weeks)

Third trimester prenatal visits (28 weeks through the end of pregnancy)

The specific number of scheduled appointments you'll have depends on if your pregnancy is considered to be high-risk. This is determined by your medical history and whether you have any complications or conditions that warrant more frequent checkups, such as gestational diabetes , high blood pressure , or a history of preterm labor . If you've had any medical problems in the past or develop any new problems during this pregnancy, you may need more prenatal visits than the average pregnant woman.

In the weeks before each visit, jot down any questions or concerns in a notebook or a notes app on your smartphone. This way, you'll remember to ask your practitioner about them at your next appointment. You may be surprised by how many questions you have, so don't miss the opportunity to get some answers in person.

For example, before you drink an herbal tea or take a supplement or an over-the-counter medication , ask your provider about it. You can even bring the item itself – or a picture of the label – with you to your next appointment. Then, your doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner can read the label and let you know whether it's okay to ingest.

Of course, if you have any pressing questions or worries, or develop any new, unusual, or severe symptoms , don't wait for your appointment – call your practitioner right away.

In addition to your list, you may want to bring a partner, friend, family member, or labor coach with you to some or all of your prenatal visits. They can comfort you, take notes, ask questions, and help you remember important information.

The goal of prenatal visits is to see how your pregnancy is proceeding and to provide you with information to help keep you and your baby healthy. It's important that you go to all of your prenatal appointments, even if you're feeling just fine and believe that everything is progressing perfectly.

Your practitioner will start by asking how you're feeling physically and emotionally, whether you have any complaints or worries, and what questions you may have. They'll also ask you about your baby's movements once you begin to feel them, typically during the second trimester. Your practitioner will have other questions as well, which will vary depending on how far along you are and whether there are specific concerns.

Your midwife, doctor, or nurse practitioner will also:

  • Check your weight , blood pressure , and urine
  • Check for swelling
  • Measure your abdomen
  • Check the position of your baby
  • Listen to your baby's heartbeat
  • Perform other exams and order tests, as appropriate
  • Give you the appropriate vaccinations
  • Closely monitor any complications you have or that you develop, and intervene if necessary

Near the end of your pregnancy, your provider may also do a pelvic exam to check for cervical changes. You will also discuss your delivery plan in more depth.

At the end of each visit, your practitioner will review their findings with you. They'll also explain the normal changes to expect before your next visit, warning signs to watch for, and the pros and cons of optional tests you may want to consider. Lifestyle issues will likely be a topic of discussion, as well. Expect to talk about the importance of good nutrition , sleep, oral health, stress management, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding tobacco , alcohol , and illicit drugs.

Many people look forward to their prenatal appointments but are disappointed to find that, with the exception of the first visit, they're in and out of the office in 10 minutes. A quick visit is typical and is usually a sign that everything is progressing normally. Still, you want to make sure your concerns are addressed – and that you and your baby are being well cared for.

Here are some things you can do to ensure that your prenatal visits are satisfying:

  • Speak up. Your practitioner isn't a mind reader and won't be able to tell what you're thinking just by performing a physical exam. So, if anything is bothering you, say your piece. Are you having trouble controlling your heartburn ? Managing your constipation ? Suffering from headaches ? This is the time to ask for advice. Consult the notebook of questions you've been compiling. In addition to physical complaints, let your practitioner know if you have emotional concerns or fitness or nutrition questions.
  • Ask the staff about the administrative stuff. Save your questions about things like insurance and directions to the hospital for the office staff so your practitioner has more time to answer your health-related questions. Go to the admin staff with any inquiries about payments, scheduling, office policies, and your contact information.
  • Be open-minded. When talking with your doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner, you should feel comfortable speaking freely. But remember to listen, too. Take notes if you find it helpful.

Keep in mind, too, that some days are busier than others. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. That doesn't mean your practitioner doesn't have to answer your questions, but sometimes a discussion can be continued at the next visit if it's a really busy day or if your practitioner needs to head to the hospital to deliver a baby.

At the same time, don't tolerate a healthcare practitioner who won't give you thorough answers, doesn't show reasonable compassion, or barely looks up from your chart. You and your baby deserve more than that.

Now that you know what to expect during all those prenatal visits, you might like a sneak peek at what else is in store. Here's an overview of the next nine months .

Learn more:

  • The ultimate pregnancy to-do list: First trimester
  • 12 steps to a healthy pregnancy
  • When will my pregnancy start to show?
  • Fetal development timeline

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What happens at second trimester prenatal appointments

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What to expect at your first prenatal appointment

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What to expect from third trimester prenatal appointments

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Prenatal testing

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

MedlinePlus. (2021). Prenatal care in your first trimester. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000544.htm Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

March of Dimes. (2017). Prenatal Care Checkups. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/prenatal-care-checkups.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

Office on Women’s Health. (2019). Prenatal Care and Tests. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/prenatal-care-and-tests Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2017). What happens during prenatal visits? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preconceptioncare/conditioninfo/prenatal-visits Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2017). What is a high-risk pregnancy? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/high-risk Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2018). What are some factors that make a pregnancy high-risk? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/high-risk/conditioninfo/factors Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

March of Dimes. (2020). Over-the-Counter Medicine, Supplements, and Herbal Products During Pregnancy. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/over-the-counter-medicine-supplements-and-herbal-products.aspx Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

Associates in Women’s Healthcare (2021). Preparing for Your First Prenatal Visit. https://www.associatesinwomenshealthcare.net/blog/preparing-for-your-first-prenatal-visit/ Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

National Health Service (UK). (2018). Your baby’s movements. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-babys-movements/ Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

MedlinePlus. (2021). Prenatal care in your third trimester. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000558.htm Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

UCLA Health. (2021). Schedule of prenatal care. https://www.uclahealth.org/obgyn/workfiles/Pregnancy/Schedule_of_Prenatal_Care.pdf Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

UCR Health. (2021). Healthy Pregnancy: The Importance of Prenatal Care.   https://www.ucrhealth.org/2018/07/healthy-pregnancy-the-importance-of-prenatal-care/ Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

Mayo Clinic. (2020). Prenatal care: 1 st trimesters visits. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-care/art-20044882 Opens a new window [Accessed September 21, 2021.]

Kristen Sturt

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The Ultimate Pregnancy Appointment Guide: What to Expect Week by Week at Your Prenatal Visits

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Central to ensuring the health and well-being of you and your growing baby is seeing your care team regularly for touchpoints and milestones that are part of your pregnancy appointment schedule. Diana Kaufman, MD , UnityPoint Health, shares the recommended timeline for prenatal visits, and the importance of each test and discussion that’ll prepare you for a safe pregnancy and delivery.

Confirming Your Pregnancy

Every woman’s body is unique, but it’s a good idea to visit a doctor to confirm a pregnancy when you’re experiencing early symptoms, such as a missed period or you’ve received a positive home pregnancy test. Typically, this visit happens at 6-8 weeks of pregnancy.

Your doctor may confirm your pregnancy through urine tests, blood tests or ultrasounds.

Initial Prenatal Appointment: 5-12 Weeks

Your first prenatal visit consists of important screenings and discussions, so your healthcare team can create a care plan that ensures you and baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy. Prepare a few things for this visit, including:

  • Complete medical history: It’s important for your doctor to know your past and present health conditions or concerns, medications and any history of disease, substance abuse or known genetic conditions in your family.
  • Insurance information: This includes consents for care, your insurance carrier and other paperwork

Here’s what to expect at your first pregnancy appointment

  • A physical, which will likely include a breast and pelvic exam.
  • A urine sample is collected to check for certain infections and conditions that can occur during pregnancy. Urine tests may be taken at your following prenatal visits as well. Urine drug screening tests are also recommended for women, or their partners, with a history of substance use — including smoking.
  • Routine testing that includes blood draws to check your blood type and complete blood count (CBC) and look for specific diseases including hepatitis, HIV, syphilis and checking for immunity against rubella. Other testing that may occur includes genetic screening and testing for diabetes.

Your care team will review prenatal educational materials with you and remedies for any unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting . Your team also will provide an estimated due date for baby.

It’s also important to take good care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy. Changing hormone levels make your gums more sensitive to disease, which increases your risk for a low-birth weight or premature baby. Consider making an appointment to see your dentist during your first trimester.

Prenatal Appointment: Second Trimester (13 – 26 Weeks)

During weeks 13-26, you’ll see your doctor every four weeks. It’s a good idea to write down questions or concerns before your appointments to ensure they’re addressed.

At each appointment throughout the rest of your pregnancy, your care team will check the following:

  • Blood pressure
  • Position of baby
  • Baby’s heartbeat

Here are some additional things to expect.

  • Prenatal genetic testing: There are many different options for prenatal genetic testing. Your care team will review these with you.
  • Pregnancy blood tests: These are tailored to your specific needs. Most patients are tested for anemia and diabetes of pregnancy between weeks 24-28. Other recommended tests will be reviewed with you.
  • Ultrasound: It’s common to have an ultrasound in the first trimester to confirm the estimated due date. Ultrasound is also common at 20 weeks to check on baby's growth and development. Further ultrasounds could be needed if changes in your pregnancy make it necessary, such as concerns about baby’s growth or to see if baby is head down.
  • Discuss preterm labor signs: Preterm labor refers to labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy and requires medical attention. Knowing what to look for — such as contractions, changes in vaginal discharge  — is important for preventing potential complications.
  • Childbirth classes: It’s a good idea to register for a class  to help you prepare for baby’s arrival.

When to Call Your Doctor

Pregnancy creates new and unfamiliar symptoms in many women. However, some symptoms need attention. Here’s when to call your doctor in the second trimester:

  • Vaginal bleeding, even a small amount
  • Leg pain with numbness or leg weakness
  • Pain or tenderness in one of both calves that doesn’t go away
  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
  • Severe headaches that don’t go away with Tylenol
  • Persistent changes in vision such as blurriness or floaters
  • More than five contractions in an hour

Now, your visits to your care team become more frequent — happening every two weeks until you’re 36 weeks pregnant. Your care team continues to monitor you and baby. Here’s what else to expect:

Prenatal Appointments: Third Trimester (27 Weeks – Baby’s Arrival)

  • Check fetal movement: It’s important to be aware of your baby's movements. If you notice a sudden change or absence of fetal movement, let you care team know.
  • Rhogam injections: If an Rh-negative blood type was found during your initial prenatal visit, you’ll receive an injection to prevent immune system complications for future pregnancies. This usually happens at 28 weeks.
  • Additional prenatal testing: Around 35-37 weeks, you’re checked to see if you carry group B streptococcus bacteria . This is one of many bacteria that can live on our skin and typically does not cause problems. However, it can infect a newborn when you deliver. Antibiotics are given during delivery to prevent infection in a newborn if you test positive.

Prenatal Appointments: 36 Weeks – End of Pregnancy

Once you’ve reached 36 weeks, you’ll see your doctor every week until you deliver. These visits are essential for ensuring the well-being of both you and your little one, as well as preparing for a safe and smooth delivery. In addition to routine physical examinations and checking baby’s heartbeat and movement, here’s what else you can expect:

  • Cervical exams: If you’re having frequent contractions or preparing to be induced, your doctor will likely need to perform this exam.
  • Discuss labor signs: You’ll likely discuss signs of labor with your doctor and when to go to the hospital.
  • Discuss birth preferences: It’s not necessary to have a birth plan. Your care team has that covered. Our goal is to keep you and your baby healthy throughout the entire pregnancy and delivery process. However, if you have strong desires or needs for delivery, please discuss those during a prenatal appointment. It’s also helpful to write these things down and bring them to the hospital, since you may not be able to fully express your wishes during labor.

Postpartum Visits

After delivering baby, but before you leave the hospital, call your doctor to make your postpartum appointment, if it hasn’t been scheduled yet. This visit typically occurs around 6 weeks after you deliver. Other visits are scheduled based on your individual needs.

These visits are a time for your doctor to check on your healing , discuss normal or abnormal postpartum bleeding, talk about your well-being and any signs of postpartum depression or anxiety , discuss when it’s safe to start exercising again and address other questions or concerns you may have .

Our UnityPoint Health care team is here to care for you and baby throughout the entirety of your pregnancy and beyond. Call us  to schedule your first appointment or if you have questions about any future appointments.

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Prenatal care: 3rd trimester visits

During the third trimester, prenatal care might include vaginal exams to check the baby's position.

Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, especially as your due date approaches. Your health care provider might ask you to schedule prenatal care appointments during your third trimester about every 2 or 4 weeks, depending on your health and pregnancy history. Starting at 36 weeks, you'll need weekly checkups until you deliver.

Repeat routine health checks

You'll be asked if you have any signs or symptoms, including contractions and leakage of fluid or bleeding. Your health care provider will check your blood pressure and weight gain, as well as your baby's heartbeat and movements.

Your health care provider might ask you to track of how often you feel the baby move on a daily basis — and to alert your health care team if the baby stops moving as much as usual.

Also, talk to your health care provider about any vaccinations you might need, including the flu shot and the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Ideally, the Tdap vaccine should be given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Test for group B strep

Expect to be screened for group B streptococcus (GBS) during the third trimester. GBS is a common bacterium often carried in the intestines or lower genital tract that's usually harmless in adults. But babies who become infected with GBS from exposure during vaginal delivery can become seriously ill.

To screen for GBS , your health care provider will swab your lower vagina and anal area. The sample will be sent to a lab for testing. If the sample tests positive for GBS — or you previously gave birth to a baby who developed GBS disease — you'll be given intravenous antibiotics during labor. The antibiotics will help protect your baby from the bacterium.

Check the baby's position

Near the end of pregnancy, your health care provider might check to see if your baby is positioned headfirst in the uterus.

If your baby is positioned rump-first (frank breech) or feet-first (complete breech) after week 36 of pregnancy, it's unlikely that the baby will move to a headfirst position before labor. You might be able to have an external cephalic version. During this procedure, your health care provider will apply pressure to your abdomen and physically manipulate your baby to a headfirst position. This is typically done with ultrasound guidance by an experienced doctor. If you prefer not to have this procedure, or if your baby remains in a breech position, your health care provider will discuss planning a C-section delivery.

Keep asking questions

You will likely have plenty of questions as your due date approaches. Is it OK to have sex? How will I know when I'm in labor? What's the best way to manage the pain? Should I create a birth plan? Ask away! Feeling prepared can help calm your nerves before delivery.

Also, be sure to discuss signs that should cause you to call your health care provider, such as vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking from the vagina, as well as when and how to contact your health care provider once labor begins.

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  • Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ079. If your baby is breech. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/If-Your-Baby-Is-Breech. Accessed July 13, 2018.
  • Prenatal care and tests. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/prenatal-care-and-tests. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • Cunningham FG, et al., eds. Prenatal care. In: Williams Obstetrics. 25th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://www.accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • Hofmeyr GJ. External cephalic version. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 10, 2018.
  • Lockwood CJ, et al. Prenatal care: Second and third trimesters. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 9, 2018.
  • AskMayoExpert. Vaccination during pregnancy. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018.

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Prenatal care and tests

prenatal visits every 2 weeks

Medical checkups and screening tests help keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy. This is called prenatal care. It also involves education and counseling about how to handle different aspects of your pregnancy. During your visits, your doctor may discuss many issues, such as healthy eating and physical activity, screening tests you might need, and what to expect during labor and delivery.

Choosing a prenatal care provider

You will see your prenatal care provider many times before you have your baby. So you want to be sure that the person you choose has a good reputation, and listens to and respects you. You will want to find out if the doctor or midwife can deliver your baby in the place you want to give birth , such as a specific hospital or birthing center. Your provider also should be willing and able to give you the information and support you need to make an informed choice about whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

Health care providers that care for women during pregnancy include:

  • Obstetricians (OB) are medical doctors who specialize in the care of pregnant women and in delivering babies. OBs also have special training in surgery so they are also able to do a cesarean delivery . Women who have health problems or are at risk for pregnancy complications should see an obstetrician. Women with the highest risk pregnancies might need special care from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist .
  • Family practice doctors are medical doctors who provide care for the whole family through all stages of life. This includes care during pregnancy and delivery, and following birth. Most family practice doctors cannot perform cesarean deliveries.
  • A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and certified professional midwife (CPM) are trained to provide pregnancy and postpartum care. Midwives can be a good option for healthy women at low risk for problems during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. A CNM is educated in both nursing and midwifery. Most CNMs practice in hospitals and birth centers. A CPM is required to have experience delivering babies in home settings because most CPMs practice in homes and birthing centers. All midwives should have a back-up plan with an obstetrician in case of a problem or emergency.

Ask your primary care doctor, friends, and family members for provider recommendations. When making your choice, think about:

  • Personality and bedside manner
  • The provider's gender and age
  • Office location and hours
  • Whether you always will be seen by the same provider during office checkups and delivery
  • Who covers for the provider when she or he is not available
  • Where you want to deliver
  • How the provider handles phone consultations and after-hour calls

What is a doula?

A doula (DOO-luh) is a professional labor coach, who gives physical and emotional support to women during labor and delivery. They offer advice on breathing, relaxation, movement, and positioning. Doulas also give emotional support and comfort to women and their partners during labor and birth. Doulas and midwives often work together during a woman's labor. A recent study showed that continuous doula support during labor was linked to shorter labors and much lower use of:

  • Pain medicines
  • Oxytocin (ok-see-TOHS-uhn) (medicine to help labor progress)
  • Cesarean delivery

Check with your health insurance company to find out if they will cover the cost of a doula. When choosing a doula, find out if she is certified by Doulas of North America (DONA) or another professional group.

Places to deliver your baby

Many women have strong views about where and how they'd like to deliver their babies. In general, women can choose to deliver at a hospital, birth center, or at home. You will need to contact your health insurance provider to find out what options are available. Also, find out if the doctor or midwife you are considering can deliver your baby in the place you want to give birth.

Hospitals are a good choice for women with health problems, pregnancy complications, or those who are at risk for problems during labor and delivery. Hospitals offer the most advanced medical equipment and highly trained doctors for pregnant women and their babies. In a hospital, doctors can do a cesarean delivery if you or your baby is in danger during labor. Women can get epidurals or many other pain relief options. Also, more and more hospitals now offer on-site birth centers, which aim to offer a style of care similar to standalone birth centers.

Questions to ask when choosing a hospital:

  • Is it close to your home?
  • Is a doctor who can give pain relief, such as an epidural, at the hospital 24-hours a day?
  • Do you like the feel of the labor and delivery rooms?
  • Are private rooms available?
  • How many support people can you invite into the room with you?
  • Does it have a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in case of serious problems with the baby?
  • Can the baby stay in the room with you?
  • Does the hospital have the staff and set-up to support successful breastfeeding?
  • Does it have an on-site birth center?

Birth or birthing centers give women a "homey" environment in which to labor and give birth. They try to make labor and delivery a natural and personal process by doing away with most high-tech equipment and routine procedures. So, you will not automatically be hooked up to an IV. Likewise, you won't have an electronic fetal monitor around your belly the whole time. Instead, the midwife or nurse will check in on your baby from time to time with a handheld machine. Once the baby is born, all exams and care will occur in your room. Usually certified nurse-midwives, not obstetricians, deliver babies at birth centers. Healthy women who are at low risk for problems during pregnancy, labor, and delivery may choose to deliver at a birth center.

Women can not receive epidurals at a birth center, although some pain medicines may be available. If a cesarean delivery becomes necessary, women must be moved to a hospital for the procedure. After delivery, babies with problems can receive basic emergency care while being moved to a hospital.

Many birthing centers have showers or tubs in their rooms for laboring women. They also tend to have comforts of home like large beds and rocking chairs. In general, birth centers allow more people in the delivery room than do hospitals.

Birth centers can be inside of hospitals, a part of a hospital or completely separate facilities. If you want to deliver at a birth center, make sure it meets the standards of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association of Birth Centers. Accredited birth centers must have doctors who can work at a nearby hospital in case of problems with the mom or baby. Also, make sure the birth center has the staff and set-up to support successful breastfeeding.

Homebirth is an option for healthy pregnant women with no risk factors for complications during pregnancy, labor or delivery. It is also important women have a strong after-care support system at home. Some certified nurse midwives and doctors will deliver babies at home. Many health insurance companies do not cover the cost of care for homebirths. So check with your plan if you'd like to deliver at home.

Homebirths are common in many countries in Europe. But in the United States, planned homebirths are not supported by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). ACOG states that hospitals are the safest place to deliver a baby. In case of an emergency, says ACOG, a hospital's equipment and highly trained doctors can provide the best care for a woman and her baby.

If you are thinking about a homebirth, you need to weigh the pros and cons. The main advantage is that you will be able to experience labor and delivery in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Since there will be no routine medical procedures, you will have control of your experience.

The main disadvantage of a homebirth is that in case of a problem, you and the baby will not have immediate hospital/medical care. It will have to wait until you are transferred to the hospital. Plus, women who deliver at home have no options for pain relief.

To ensure your safety and that of your baby, you must have a highly trained and experienced midwife along with a fail-safe back-up plan. You will need fast, reliable transportation to a hospital. If you live far away from a hospital, homebirth may not be the best choice. Your midwife must be experienced and have the necessary skills and supplies to start emergency care for you and your baby if need be. Your midwife should also have access to a doctor 24 hours a day.

Prenatal checkups

During pregnancy, regular checkups are very important. This consistent care can help keep you and your baby healthy, spot problems if they occur, and prevent problems during delivery. Typically, routine checkups occur:

  • Once each month for weeks four through 28
  • Twice a month for weeks 28 through 36
  • Weekly for weeks 36 to birth

Women with high-risk pregnancies need to see their doctors more often.

At your first visit your doctor will perform a full physical exam, take your blood for lab tests, and calculate your due date. Your doctor might also do a breast exam, a pelvic exam to check your uterus (womb), and a cervical exam, including a Pap test. During this first visit, your doctor will ask you lots of questions about your lifestyle, relationships, and health habits. It's important to be honest with your doctor.

After the first visit, most prenatal visits will include:

  • Checking your blood pressure and weight
  • Checking the baby's heart rate
  • Measuring your abdomen to check your baby's growth

You also will have some routine tests throughout your pregnancy, such as tests to look for anemia , tests to measure risk of gestational diabetes , and tests to look for harmful infections.

Become a partner with your doctor to manage your care. Keep all of your appointments — every one is important! Ask questions and read to educate yourself about this exciting time.

Monitor your baby's activity

After 28 weeks, keep track of your baby's movement. This will help you to notice if your baby is moving less than normal, which could be a sign that your baby is in distress and needs a doctor's care. An easy way to do this is the "count-to-10" approach. Count your baby's movements in the evening — the time of day when the fetus tends to be most active. Lie down if you have trouble feeling your baby move. Most women count 10 movements within about 20 minutes. But it is rare for a woman to count less than 10 movements within two hours at times when the baby is active. Count your baby's movements every day so you know what is normal for you. Call your doctor if you count less than 10 movements within two hours or if you notice your baby is moving less than normal. If your baby is not moving at all, call your doctor right away.

Prenatal tests

Tests are used during pregnancy to check your and your baby's health. At your fist prenatal visit, your doctor will use tests to check for a number of things, such as:

  • Your blood type and Rh factor
  • Infections, such as toxoplasmosis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including hepatitis B , syphilis , chlamydia , and HIV
  • Signs that you are immune to rubella (German measles) and chicken pox

Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife may suggest a number of other tests, too. Some tests are suggested for all women, such as screenings for gestational diabetes, Down syndrome, and HIV. Other tests might be offered based on your:

  • Personal or family health history
  • Ethnic background
  • Results of routine tests

Some tests are screening tests. They detect risks for or signs of possible health problems in you or your baby. Based on screening test results, your doctor might suggest diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests confirm or rule out health problems in you or your baby.

Understanding prenatal tests and test results

If your doctor suggests certain prenatal tests, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. Learning about the test, why your doctor is suggesting it for you, and what the test results could mean can help you cope with any worries or fears you might have. Keep in mind that screening tests do not diagnose problems. They evaluate risk. So if a screening test comes back abnormal, this doesn't mean there is a problem with your baby. More information is needed. Your doctor can explain what test results mean and possible next steps.

Avoid keepsake ultrasounds

You might think a keepsake ultrasound is a must-have for your scrapbook. But, doctors advise against ultrasound when there is no medical need to do so. Some companies sell "keepsake" ultrasound videos and images. Although ultrasound is considered safe for medical purposes, exposure to ultrasound energy for a keepsake video or image may put a mother and her unborn baby at risk. Don't take that chance.

High-risk pregnancy

Pregnancies with a greater chance of complications are called "high-risk." But this doesn't mean there will be problems. The following factors may increase the risk of problems during pregnancy:

  • Very young age or older than 35
  • Overweight or underweight
  • Problems in previous pregnancy
  • Health conditions you have before you become pregnant, such as high blood pressure , diabetes , autoimmune disorders , cancer , and HIV
  • Pregnancy with twins or other multiples

Health problems also may develop during a pregnancy that make it high-risk, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia . See Pregnancy complications to learn more.

Women with high-risk pregnancies need prenatal care more often and sometimes from a specially trained doctor. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist is a medical doctor that cares for high-risk pregnancies.

If your pregnancy is considered high risk, you might worry about your unborn baby's health and have trouble enjoying your pregnancy. Share your concerns with your doctor. Your doctor can explain your risks and the chances of a real problem. Also, be sure to follow your doctor's advice. For example, if your doctor tells you to take it easy, then ask your partner, family members, and friends to help you out in the months ahead. You will feel better knowing that you are doing all you can to care for your unborn baby.

Paying for prenatal care

Pregnancy can be stressful if you are worried about affording health care for you and your unborn baby. For many women, the extra expenses of prenatal care and preparing for the new baby are overwhelming. The good news is that women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice, and other services important for a healthy pregnancy.

Learn more about programs available in your state.

You may also find help through these places:

  • Local hospital or social service agencies – Ask to speak with a social worker on staff. She or he will be able to tell you where to go for help.
  • Community clinics – Some areas have free clinics or clinics that provide free care to women in need.
  • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program – This government program is available in every state. It provides help with food, nutritional counseling, and access to health services for women, infants, and children.
  • Places of worship

More information on prenatal care and tests

Read more from womenshealth.gov.

  • Pregnancy and Medicines Fact Sheet - This fact sheet provides information on the safety of using medicines while pregnant.

Explore other publications and websites

  • Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) (Copyright © March of Dimes) - Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that can diagnose or rule out certain birth defects. The test is generally performed between 10 and 12 weeks after a woman's last menstrual period. This fact sheet provides information about this test, and how the test sample is taken.
  • Folic Acid (Copyright © March of Dimes) - This fact sheet stresses the importance of getting higher amounts of folic acid during pregnancy in order to prevent neural tube defects in unborn children.
  • Folic Acid: Questions and Answers - The purpose of this question and answer sheet is to educate women of childbearing age on the importance of consuming folic acid every day to reduce the risk of spina bifida.
  • For Women With Diabetes: Your Guide to Pregnancy - This booklet discusses pregnancy in women with diabetes. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and you are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant soon, you can learn what to do to have a healthy baby. You can also learn how to take care of yourself and your diabetes before, during, and after your pregnancy.
  • Genetics Home Reference - This website provides information on specific genetic conditions and the genes or chromosomes responsible for these conditions.
  • Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women - This publication provides information on routine and other vaccines and whether they are recommended for use during pregnancy.
  • How Your Baby Grows (Copyright © March of Dimes) - This site provides information on the development of your baby and the changes in your body during each month of pregnancy. In addition, for each month, it provides information on when to go for prenatal care appointments and general tips to take care of yourself and your baby.
  • Pregnancy Registries - Pregnancy registries help women make informed and educated decisions about using medicines during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and currently taking medicine — or have been exposed to a medicine during your pregnancy — you may be able to participate and help in the collection of this information. This website provides a list of pregnancy registries that are enrolling pregnant women.
  • Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Bone Health - This publication provides information on pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, lactation and bone loss, and what you can do to keep your bones healthy during pregnancy.
  • Prenatal Care: First-Trimester Visits (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) - This fact sheet explains what to expect during routine exams with your doctor. In addition, if you have a condition that makes your pregnancy high-risk, special tests may be performed on a regular basis to check the baby's health.
  • Ten Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy (Copyright © Lamaze International) - This easy-to-read fact sheet provides 10 simple recommendations to help mothers have a healthy pregnancy.
  • Ultrasound (Copyright © March of Dimes) - This fact sheet discusses the use of an ultrasound in prenatal care at each trimester.

Connect with other organizations

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  • American Association of Birth Centers
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
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Your Prenatal Care Appointments

If you're pregnant, especially if it's for the first time, you may be wondering what will happen at your prenatal care appointments with your doctor or midwife . Here's a rundown of everything you can expect at each appointment, including tests and exams.

Your First Prenatal Care Appointment

Your first prenatal appointment will probably be your longest one. Here you will give your doctor, midwife, or nurse your complete health and pregnancy history. This information is important because it will give your practitioner a good idea of how healthy you are and what type of problems you are most likely to experience during your pregnancy. You will learn what your estimated due date is as well.

There are many areas that may be checked during your physical exam, including:

  • Blood pressure
  • Breast exam
  • Pelvic exam
  • Pregnancy test
  • Ultrasound (if you're having pain or bleeding or underwent fertility treatments)
  • Urine screen for protein and sugar

You will probably be seen for your first appointment between 8 and 10 weeks gestation, though you may be seen earlier if you're having problems or if it's your doctor or midwife's policy.

Your Second Appointment

Your second prenatal appointment usually takes place about a month after your first appointment, unless you're having problems or need specific prenatal testing that is best performed in a specific time range. Here is what will most likely happen during this visit:

  • Blood pressure check
  • Listen to a fetal heartbeat using a Doppler
  • Record your weight
  • Urine screen for sugar and protein

Your baby's first heartbeat can usually be heard with a Doppler between 8 and 12 weeks gestation. If you have trouble hearing the baby's heartbeat, you will probably be asked to wait until your next visit when your baby is a bit bigger. Sometimes an ultrasound will be ordered as well.

Additional Testing

Additional testing may be performed at this appointment as needed. There are some optional tests you, your doctor, or your midwife may request:

  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (diagnostic test for many genetic diseases)
  • Early amniocentesis (diagnostic test for many genetic diseases)
  • Nuchal fold test (screening for Down syndrome)

Be sure to discuss all of your options regarding these tests, including the risks and benefits, how the test results are given, and whether the test is a screening test or a diagnostic test.

Your Third Appointment

Towards the third prenatal visit, you're most likely around 14 to 16 weeks pregnant. You're probably feeling better and the most dangerous part of pregnancy is over. You are now probably feeling more confident in your pregnancy and sharing your good news .

It has been about a month since you've seen the midwife or doctor. Here's what this appointment may look like:

  • Check your blood pressure
  • Listen for baby's heartbeat
  • Measure your abdomen, called "fundal height," to check baby's growth
  • Urine sample to screen for sugar and protein

Optional Testing

You may also have the following prenatal testing done if you request it:

  • Amniocentesis (diagnostic test for many genetic diseases)
  • Neural tube defect (NTD)/Down syndrome screening by way of maternal blood work (several tests can be used including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), triple screen, and quad screen)

Your Fourth Appointment

You are most likely between 16 to 20 weeks at this point, and it has been about a month since your last appointment. You probably feel like you've grown a lot since your last appointment and you may now be wearing maternity clothes and possibly even feeling your baby move . Here's what this visit may involve:

  • Measure your fundal height to check baby's growth

You may also have a  mid-pregnancy ultrasound screening  if you request it or if it's your doctor or midwife's policy.

Your Fifth Appointment

Between 18 to 22 weeks you'll likely have your fifth prenatal care visit. Here's what this appointment may involve:

  • Check for swelling in your hands and feet
  • Listen to the baby's heartbeat

Your Sixth Appointment

Your next prenatal care appointment will likely be between 22 to 26 weeks of pregnancy . You are probably still being seen monthly. Here's what this appointment may look like:

  • Listen to the baby's heartbeat
  • Measure your fundal height to check baby's growth
  • Questions about baby's movements

Your Seventh or Eighth Appointment

Between 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy , you'll likely have another prenatal care appointment. Here's what may happen:

  • Check blood pressure
  • Questions about baby's movements

Other Testing and Information

You may have other tests or procedures ordered, like the glucose tolerance test (GTT) used to screen for gestational diabetes or the RhoGam , shot around 28 weeks of gestation for women who are Rh-negative. Your doctor or midwife may also give you information on screening for preterm labor on your own.

Your Eighth, Ninth Appointments and Beyond

Your next appointment will likely be between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. In fact, you're likely to have at least two prenatal visits during this period because you're now being seen every other week. Here's what these appointments may involve:

  • Palpate to check baby's position (vertex, breech, posterior, etc.)

Screening for Group B strep (GBS) will normally be done between weeks 34 to 36. This involves rectal and vaginal swab. You will continue to be seen every other week until about the 36th week of pregnancy. At this point, your visits will likely be fairly routine with very few extra tests being performed.

Weekly Visits

Between 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, you're usually seen every week. Here's what these visits may entail:

You will continue to be seen every week until about the 41st week of pregnancy, at which point you may be seen every few days until your baby is born. Your visits are most likely fairly routine, with very few extra tests being performed.

You may also have an ultrasound to determine what position the baby is in at this point. Your doctor will also try to predict the size of your baby , but this is usually not very accurate. Because of this tendency for inaccuracy, it's not a great idea to have an induction of labor based on the predicted size of your baby.

If you're having a home birth , you may have a home visit during this time frame if your midwife doesn't do her normal prenatal visits there. You will be able to give her a tour of your home and answer questions she may have about where everything is located.

Overdue Pregnancy Visits

At 40 or 41 weeks of pregnancy, you may begin to see your midwife or doctor every few days. Here is what these visits may look like:

Since you are officially past your due date, your midwife or doctor may want to watch you and your baby more carefully until labor begins. This may include the following tests:

  • Non-stress test (NST)
  • Biophysical profile (BPP)

These tests will help determine if your practitioner needs to intervene with an induction of labor for the health of your baby or let your pregnancy continue.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What Happens During Prenatal Visits ?

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are some common complications of pregnancy ?

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy .

Mayo Clinic Staff.  Prenatal Care: 1st Trimester Visits . Mayo Clinic.

By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor.

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Prenatal care checkups

Prenatal care is medical care you get during pregnancy. at each prenatal care visit, your health care provider checks on you and your growing baby., call your provider to schedule your first prenatal care checkup as soon as you know you’re pregnant., getting early and regular prenatal care can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a full-term baby., go to all your prenatal care checkups, even if you’re feeling fine..

What is prenatal care and why is it important?

Prenatal care is medical care you get during pregnancy. At each visit, your health care provider checks on you and your growing baby. Call your provider and go for your first prenatal care checkup as soon as you know you’re pregnant. And go to all your prenatal care checkups, even if you’re feeling fine.

Getting early and regular prenatal care can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a full-term baby. Full term means your baby is born between 39 weeks (1 week before your due date) and 40 weeks, 6 days (1 week after your due date). Being born full term gives your baby the right amount of time he needs in the womb to grow and develop.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your provider about personal things. Your provider needs to know all about you so she can give you and your baby the best care. She asks lots of questions about you, your partner and your families. Your medical information and anything you tell her are confidential. This means she can’t share them with anyone without your permission. So don’t be afraid to tell her about things that may be uncomfortable or embarrassing, like if your partner hurts or scares you or if you smoke , drink alcohol , use street drugs or abuse prescription drugs .

Who can you go to for prenatal care?

You can get prenatal care from different kinds of providers:

  • An obstetrician/gynecologist (also called OB/GYN) is a doctor who has education and training to take care of pregnant women and deliver babies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  can help you find an OB in your area. 
  • A family practice doctor (also called a family physician) is a doctor who can take care of every member of your family. This doctor can take care of you before, during and after pregnancy. The American Board of Family Medicine can help you find a family practice doctor in your area. 
  • A maternal-fetal medicine (also called MFM) specialist is an OB with education and training to take care of women who have high-risk pregnancies. If you have health conditions that may cause problems during pregnancy, your provider may want you to see a MFM specialist. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine can help you find a specialist in your area.
  • A certified nurse-midwife (also called CNM) is a nurse with education and training to take care of women of all ages, including pregnant women. The American College of Nurse-Midwives  can help you find a CNM in your area.
  • A family nurse practitioner (also called FNP) or a women’s health nurse practitioner (also called WHNP). A FNP is a nurse with education and training to take care of every member of your family. A WHNP is a nurse with education and training to take care of women of all ages, including pregnant women. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners can help you find these kinds of nurse practitioners in your area.   

Think about these things to help you choose a provider:

  • Is the provider licensed and board certified to take care of you during pregnancy, labor and birth? Licensed means the provider can legally practice medicine in a state. To have a license, a provider has to have a certain amount of education and training and pass certain tests to make sure he can safely take care of patients. Board certified means that a provider has had extra training in a certain area (called a specialty).
  • Is the provider covered by your health insurance ? 
  • Have you heard good things about the provider? Is she recommended by your friends or family? How does your partner feel about her as your prenatal care provider?  
  • Would you rather see a man or a woman provider? How old to you want the provider to be? Does he explain things clearly? 
  • Is the office easy to get to? Do the office hours fit into your schedule? Is the office staff friendly and helpful? 
  • Who takes care of phone calls during office hours? Who handles them after hours or in an emergency? Do you have to pay if your provider spends time with you on the phone? 
  • Is the provider in group practice? If yes, will you always see your provider at prenatal care checkups? Or will you see other providers in the practice? Who will deliver your baby if your provider’s not available when you go into labor? 
  • What hospital or birthing center does the provider use? What do you know about it? Is it easy for you to get to?  

How often do you go for prenatal care checkups?

Most pregnant women can follow a schedule like this:

  • Weeks 4 to 28 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 4 weeks (once a month).
  • Weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 2 weeks (twice a month).
  • Weeks 36 to 41 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every week (once a week).

If you have complications during pregnancy, your provider may want to see you more often.

Your partner or support person (a friend or someone from your family) is welcome at your prenatal checkups.

How can you get ready for your first prenatal care checkup?

Be ready to talk with your provider about:

  • The first day of your last menstrual period (also called LMP). Your provider can use this to help find out your baby’s due date .
  • Health conditions you have, like depression , diabetes , high blood pressure , and not being at a healthy weight . Conditions like these can cause problems during pregnancy. Tell your provider about your family health history . This is a record of any health conditions and treatments that you, your partner and everyone in your families have had. Use the March of Dimes Family Health History Form and share it with your provider. If you have a record of your vaccinations , take it to your checkup.  A vaccination is a shot that contains a vaccine that helps protect you from certain harmful infections. 
  • Medicines you take, including prescription medicine , over-the-counter medicine, supplements and herbal products . Some medicines can hurt your baby if you take them during pregnancy, so you may need to stop taking it or switch to another medicine. Don’t stop or start taking any medicine without talking to your provider first. And tell your provider if you’re allergic to any medicine. You may be allergic to a medicine if it makes you sneeze, itch, get a rash or have trouble breathing when you take it.
  • Your pregnancy history. Tell your provider if you’ve been pregnant before or if you’ve had trouble getting pregnant. Tell her if you’ve had any pregnancy complications or if you’ve had a preterm baby (a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), a miscarriage or stillbirth . Miscarriage is when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Smoking, drinking alcohol, using street drugs and abusing prescription drugs. All of these can hurt your baby. Alcohol includes beer, wine and liquor. Street drugs are illegal to use, like heroin and cocaine. Abusing prescription drugs means you use them differently than your provider tells you to. This means you take more than your provider says you can take, you take it with alcohol or other drugs or you use someone else’s prescription drugs.
  • Stress you feel. Stress is worry, strain or pressure that you feel in response to things that happen in your life. Talk to your provide about ways to deal with and reduce your stress. High levels of stress can cause complications during pregnancy.
  • Your safety at home and work. Tell your provider about chemicals you use at home or work and about what kind of job you have. If you’re worried about abuse during pregnancy and ask about ways you can stay healthy and safe at home and work.

What happens at your first prenatal care checkup?

Your first checkup is usually the longest because your provider asks you lots of questions about your health. At your first prenatal care checkup, your provider:

  • Gives you a physical exam and checks your overall health. Your provider checks your weight and height to figure out how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.
  • Checks your blood, blood pressure and urine. Blood tests can tell your provider if you have certain infections, like syphilis , hepatitis B and HIV. Your provider also uses a blood test to find out your blood type and Rh factor and to check for anemia. Anemia is when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of your body. Rh factor is a protein that most people have on their red blood cells. If you don’t have it and your baby does, it can cause Rh disease in your baby. Treatment during pregnancy can prevent Rh disease. Blood pressure and urine tests can help your provider diagnose a serious condition called preeclampsia . This is a kind of high blood pressure that can happen during pregnancy. Having too much protein in your urine may be a sign of preeclampsia. Urine tests also can tell your provider if you have a kidney or bladder infection or other conditions, like diabetes.  
  • Gives you a pelvic exam and a Pap smear. Your provider checks the pelvic organs (pelvis and womb) to make sure they’re healthy. For the Pap smear, your provider collects cells from your cervix to check for cancer and for infections, like chlamydia and gonorrhea. The cervix is the opening to the uterus (womb) that sits at the top of the vagina.
  • May give you vaccinations, like a flu shot. It’s safe to get a flu shot any time during pregnancy. But some vaccinations are best at certain times and some aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Talk to your provider about what’s best and safe for you and your baby.
  • Tells you your due date. Your provider usually uses your LMP to figure out your due date. But you may get an early ultrasound to confirm that you’re pregnant and help your provider figure out your baby’s age. An ultrasound uses sound waves and a computer screen to show a picture of your baby inside the womb.
  • Prescribes a prenatal vitamin. This is a multivitamin made for pregnant women. Your prenatal vitamin should have 600 micrograms of folic acid in it. Folic acid is a vitamin that every cell in your body needs for healthy growth and development. If you take it before pregnancy and during early pregnancy, it can help protect your baby from birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects (also called NTDs), and birth defects of the mouth called cleft lip and palate .
  • Talks to you about prenatal tests. These are medical tests you get during pregnancy. They help your provider find out how you and your baby are doing. You may want to have certain tests only if you have certain problems or if you’re at high risk of having a baby with a genetic or chromosomal condition , like Down syndrome . If your provider thinks you’re at risk for having a baby with one of these conditions, he may recommend that you see a genetic counselor . This person has training to help you understand about genes, birth defects and other medical conditions that run in families, and how they can affect your health and your baby’s health.

What happens at later prenatal care checkups?

Later prenatal care checkups usually are shorter than the first one. At your checkups, tell your provider how you’re feeling. There’s a lot going on inside your body during pregnancy. Your provider can help you understand what’s happening and help you feel better if you’re not feeling well. Between visits, write down questions you have and ask them at your next checkup.

At later prenatal care checkups, your health care provider:

  • Checks your weight and blood pressure. You also may get urine and blood tests.
  • Checks your baby’s heartbeat. This happens after about 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. You can listen, too!
  • Measures your belly to check your baby’s growth. Your provider starts doing this at about 20 weeks of pregnancy. Later in pregnancy, she also feels your belly to check your baby’s position in the womb.
  • Gives you certain prenatal tests to check you and your baby. For example, most women get an ultrasound at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. You may be able to tell if your baby’s a boy or a girl from this ultrasound, so be sure to tell your provider if you don’t want to know! Later in pregnancy, your provider may use ultrasound to check the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby in the womb. Between 24 and 28 weeks, you get a glucose screening test to see if you may have gestational diabetes . This is a kind of diabetes that some women get during pregnancy. And at 35 to 37 weeks, you get a test to check for group B strep . This is an infection you can pass to your baby.
  • Asks you about your baby’s movement in the womb. If it’s your first pregnancy, you may feel your baby move by about 20 weeks. If you’ve been pregnant before, you may feel your baby move sooner. Your provider may ask you to do kick counts to keep track of how often your baby moves.
  • Gives you a Tdap vaccination at 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. This vaccination protects both you and your baby against pertussis (also called whooping cough). Pertussis spreads easily and is dangerous for a baby.
  • Does a pelvic exam . Your provider may check for changes in your cervix as you get close to your due date.

How can you get free or low-cost prenatal care?

If you don't have health insurance or can't afford prenatal care, find out about free or low-cost prenatal care services in your community:

  • Call (800) 311-BABY [(800) 311-2229]. For information in Spanish, call (800) 504-7081.
  • Visit healthcare.gov to find a community health center near you. Community health centers can provide low-cost prenatal care.

Last reviewed: June, 2017

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  • > Prenatal Visit Schedule: What To Expect During Each Appointment

Prenatal Visit Schedule: What To Expect During Each Appointment

Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy and allows your doctor to regularly monitor you and your baby . But what should you expect when it comes to your prenatal visit schedule?

Basically, you’ll visit your doctor once a month at the beginning of your pregnancy and then once a week at the end of your pregnancy. That said, it’s important to schedule your first prenatal visit as soon as you see a positive pregnancy test!

In this article, the experts at Mustela discuss how your prenatal visit schedule will most likely look and what to expect during each appointment.

Prenatal Visit Schedule: First Trimester

Expecting mom ready to schedule prenatal visit

This is such an exciting time in your life! When you saw the positive pregnancy test , you were probably four to six weeks pregnant, so go ahead and call your doctor to schedule your first appointment.

During the first trimester , you will have your initial prenatal visit, and then your doctor will schedule your visits every four weeks or once a month.

Check with the doctor or staff for a printout of your prenatal visit schedule.

What To Expect At Your First Appointment

Your first prenatal visit will be around six to nine weeks and will most likely be the lengthiest of all your appointments, so block out a good bit of time on your calendar.

Your doctor will ask a good bit of detailed questions and perform a pretty thorough check. Let’s take a look at what they’ll do during this appointment.

Medical History

Your doctor will ask questions about your:

  • Last menstrual cycle so they can give you a due date
  • Gynecological history
  • Obstetrical history (any past pregnancies)
  • Personal and family medical history
  • Supplements or medicines you’re taking (if any)
  • Lifestyle (use of tobacco products, alcohol, and caffeine; eating and exercising habits)
  • Recent travel adventures
  • Feelings of depression or anxiety (if any)

Your doctor will order various lab work to check your blood for:

  • Blood type and Rh status
  • Hemoglobin levels
  • Infections such as hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV
  • Thyroid levels
  • Any other important screenings

Physical Exam

To give you and your baby the best care, your doctor will need to do a thorough physical exam, which most likely will also include a Pap smear to detect any abnormal cervical cells.

Your doctor’s observation also includes:

  • Checking your blood pressure
  • Measuring your height and weight to determine your recommended weight gain for a healthy pregnancy
  • A breast exam
  • A pelvic exam
  • Screening your heart, lungs, and thyroid

Discuss any pregnancy discomforts , such as nausea and fatigue, with your doctor. Be honest with your doctor so they can take care of you and your baby to the best of their knowledge.

woman at her scheduled prenatal visit

Some doctors also do an ultrasound during the first trimester to confirm or date your pregnancy. (Your first prenatal visit will vary based on the specific policies of your doctor’s office.)

What To Expect At Your 12-Week Appointment

You're nearing the end of your first trimester! During this appointment, you can expect your doctor to check the following:

  • Weight and blood pressure
  • Urine for sugar and protein levels
  • Your baby’s heartbeat (This will be the first time you’ll hear it!)
  • Size of your uterus
  • Hands and feet for any swelling

Prenatal Visit Schedule: Second Trimester

pregnant woman having her belly measured

Assuming you have a healthy pregnancy and no further examinations are necessary, this is what your prenatal visit schedule will look like during your second trimester :

  • Four-month appointment (around 16 weeks)
  • Five-month appointment (around 20 weeks)
  • Six-month appointment (around 24 weeks)

What To Expect During Routine Appointments

Many of your appointments from here on out will look similar regarding what your doctor will check for. During these visits, you can expect your doctor to look at:

  • Your baby’s heartbeat
  • Your fundal height (The size of your uterus is used to assess fetal growth and development. Your doctor will get this measurement by measuring the length from the top of your uterus to the top of your pubic bone. This measurement should match how many weeks you are. Example: If you’re 20 weeks pregnant, your fundal height should equal 20 centimeters.)
  • Hands and feet for swelling
  • Any symptoms you’ve been experiencing

At this point in your pregnancy, you may notice your skin becoming dry and starting to stretch a bit. Don’t worry; it’s completely normal!

To tackle dry skin, try Mustela’s Stretch Marks Cream . This velvety, hard-working cream delivers immediate moisture and comfort to your skin!

And our Stretch Marks Oil treats recently formed stretch marks. It’s a fast-absorbing oil that hydrates your skin throughout your pregnancy!

What To Expect During Your 20-Week Sonogram:

Sometime around your 20-week appointment, your doctor will schedule an ultrasound to determine the gender of your baby! During this sonogram, your sonographer will take a look at:

  • Baby’s size and all their major organs
  • Amniotic fluid
  • Location of placenta

Your sonographer passes this information to your doctor to give them a clear picture (literally!) of the overall health of your baby and your pregnancy.

Prenatal Visit Schedule: Third Trimester

woman following her prenatal visit schedule

During your third trimester , your prenatal visits will be every two weeks until the last month of your pregnancy, when you’ll have them every week. So that means your prenatal visit schedule will look like this:

What To Expect At Your Seventh- and Eighth-Month Visits

During your seventh and eighth months of pregnancy, expect your doctor to check the following:

  • Urine for sugar and protein
  • Your fundal height (top of your uterus)
  • Size and position of your baby
  • Feet and hands for swelling
  • Varicose veins in your legs
  • Glucose screen test (read below for more information)
  • Group B strep test (read below for more information)
  • Blood test for anemia
  • Any symptoms you’ve been having

up-close of a pregnant woman's belly

Glucose Screen Test

This test is used to determine if you have gestational diabetes. Once you arrive at your doctor’s office, be prepared to have your blood drawn first.

Next, you’ll drink a very sugary drink that tastes like flat orange soda. Some women enjoy the taste, while others feel a little queasy afterward!

After you consume the entire drink, you’ll wait one hour before having your blood drawn again. If your blood work comes back with elevated numbers, your doctor will order the next level of tests, which is used to officially diagnose gestational diabetes.

Should you need to take the second test (no studying required!), you’ll have to fast before the appointment. Just like with the initial round of tests, your doctor will draw your blood first and then have you consume the drink.

The only difference is this time, your blood will be drawn every hour for three hours. Be prepared to stay in your doctor’s office for three to four hours.

If the results from this test also come back elevated, your doctor will discuss management techniques for gestational diabetes.

But don’t let this information worry you. Most women who monitor their blood sugar levels and work closely with their doctor have perfectly normal pregnancies and healthy babies!

woman waiting for her next prenatal visit

Group B Strep Test

Group B Strep (GBS) is bacteria that can be found in the vaginas of healthy women. (It’s not related to strep, the throat infection.)

If you are a carrier of GBS, your baby can catch the infection during delivery when they pass through the birth canal. While this bacteria isn’t harmful to you, it can be dangerous for your baby.

To check for GBS, your doctor will perform a test just like they would a Pap smear. If the test shows that you’re a carrier, you’ll receive antibiotics through an IV once you’re in labor. This way, you won’t pass the infection to your baby!

You’re routinely tested for GBS around the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy so your doctors can be prepared to give you the antibiotics at the onset of labor.

What To Expect During Your Ninth Month

Similar to months seven and eight, your doctor will closely monitor you and your baby during this time. Since you’re getting closer to your due date, expect a few additional observations from your doctor.

During your last month of pregnancy, they will take a look at:

  • Your cervix by an internal examination to check for effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening)
  • Baby’s heartbeat
  • Baby’s size (At this point in your pregnancy, your doctor may give you an estimation of your baby’s weight. They can tell your baby’s presentation: head or bottom first, and their position: front- or rear-facing.)
  • Any questions or concerns you may have about delivery

A Beautiful Pregnancy And Beautiful Skin

Pregnant woman contemplating her prenatal visit schedule

Throughout these nine months , your prenatal visits are special moments of checking on your sweet little baby. It’s exciting to see your belly grow with each visit! But that also means possible stretch marks.

The good news is that Mustela offers a line of prenatal products, including our Stretch Marks Cream and Bust Firming Serum , to soothe and hydrate your skin while you manage the busyness of your prenatal visit schedule.

Let Mustela help you start your beautiful pregnancy with beautiful skin!

Essential Care Multi-Purpose Lotion *NEW*

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What happens during prenatal visits?

What happens during prenatal visits varies depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Schedule your first prenatal visit as soon as you think you are pregnant, even if you have confirmed your pregnancy with a home pregnancy test. Early and regular prenatal visits help your health care provider monitor your health and the growth of the fetus.

The First Visit

Your first prenatal visit will probably be scheduled sometime after your eighth week of pregnancy. Most health care providers won't schedule a visit any earlier unless you have a medical condition, have had problems with a pregnancy in the past, or have symptoms such as spotting or bleeding, stomach pain, or severe nausea and vomiting. 1

You've probably heard pregnancy discussed in terms of months and trimesters (units of about 3 months). Your health care provider and health information might use weeks instead. Here's a chart that can help you understand pregnancy stages in terms of trimesters, months, and weeks.

Because your first visit will be one of your longest, allow plenty of time.

During the visit, you can expect your health care provider to do the following: 1

  • Answer your questions. This is a great time to ask questions and share any concerns you may have. Keep a running list for your visit.
  • Check your urine sample for infection and to confirm your pregnancy.
  • Check your blood pressure, weight, and height.
  • Calculate your due date based on your last menstrual cycle and ultrasound exam.
  • Ask about your health, including previous conditions, surgeries, or pregnancies.
  • Ask about your family health and genetic history.
  • Ask about your lifestyle, including whether you smoke, drink, or take drugs, and whether you exercise regularly.
  • Ask about your stress level.
  • Perform prenatal blood tests to do the following:
  • Determine your blood type and Rh (Rhesus) factor. Rh factor refers to a protein found on red blood cells. If the mother is Rh negative (lacks the protein) and the father is Rh positive (has the protein), the pregnancy requires a special level of care. 2
  • Do a blood count (e.g., hemoglobin, hematocrit).
  • Test for hepatitis B, HIV, rubella, and syphilis.
  • Do a complete physical exam, including a pelvic exam, and cultures for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
  • Do a Pap test or test for human papillomavirus (HPV) or both to screen for cervical cancer and infection with HPV, which can increase risk for cervical cancer. The timing of these tests depends on the schedule recommended by your health care provider.
  • Do an ultrasound test, depending on the week of pregnancy.
  • Offer genetic testing: screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal problems, cystic fibrosis, other specialized testing depending on history.

Prenatal Visit Schedule

If your pregnancy is healthy, your health care provider will set up a regular schedule for visits that will probably look about like this: 1

Later Prenatal Visits

As your pregnancy progresses, your prenatal visits will vary greatly. During most visits, you can expect your health care provider to do the following:

  • Check your blood pressure.
  • Measure your weight gain.
  • Measure your abdomen to check your developing infant's growth—"fundal height" (once you begin to "show").
  • Check the fetal heart rate.
  • Check your hands and feet for swelling.
  • Feel your abdomen to find the fetus's position (later in pregnancy).
  • Do tests, such as blood tests or an ultrasound exam.

Talk to you about your questions or concerns. It's a good idea to write down your questions and bring them with you.

Several of these visits will include special tests to check for gestational diabetes (usually between 24 and 28 weeks) 3 and other conditions, depending on your age and family history.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics released new vaccine guidelines for 2013 , including a recommendation for pregnant women to receive a booster of whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. The guidelines recommend the shot be given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. 4

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Updated recommendations for use of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (TDAP) in pregnant women―Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6207a4.htm

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COMMENTS

  1. How Often Do You Need Prenatal Visits?

    Weeks 4 to 28 — One prenatal visit every four weeks. Weeks 28 to 36 — One prenatal visit every two weeks. Weeks 36 to 40 — One prenatal visit every week. Each scheduled visit on the timeline ...

  2. Your Guide to Prenatal Appointments

    The number of visits you'll have in a typical pregnancy usually total about 10 to 15, depending on when you find out you're expecting and the timing of your first checkup. In most complication-free pregnancies, you can expect to have a prenatal appointment with the following frequency: Weeks 4 to 28: Once a month; Weeks 28 to 36: Every other week

  3. Pregnancy appointment timeline: How often to see your OB

    Visit #2: 10-12 weeks. Visit #3: 16-18 weeks. Visit #4: 20-22 weeks. Visit #5: 24-28 weeks. Visit #6: 32 weeks ... start keeping closer track of your progress. Again, each pregnancy is different, but from this point on, you may have a prenatal appointment every week until you deliver. These visits will feel similar to the routine prenatal ...

  4. How Often Do I Need Prenatal Visits?

    For a healthy pregnancy, your doctor will probably want to see you on the following recommended schedule of prenatal visits: Weeks 4 to 28: 1 prenatal visit a month. Weeks 28 to 36: 1 prenatal ...

  5. Third trimester: What happens at your prenatal appointments

    During the third trimester, you'll see your doctor every two weeks, then every week, to check for signs of preterm labor and assess your baby's growth and well-being. Here's exactly what will happen, and questions to ask your doctor. Medically reviewed by Layan Alrahmani, M.D., ob-gyn, MFM.

  6. Prenatal visit schedule, plus how to prepare

    Check your weight, blood pressure, and urine. Check for swelling. Measure your abdomen. Check the position of your baby. Listen to your baby's heartbeat. Perform other exams and order tests, as appropriate. Give you the appropriate vaccinations. Closely monitor any complications you have or that you develop, and intervene if necessary.

  7. The Ultimate Pregnancy Appointment Guide: What to Expect Week by Week

    Initial Prenatal Appointment: 5-12 Weeks. Your first prenatal visit consists of important screenings and discussions, so your healthcare team can create a care plan that ensures you and baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy. ... Now, your visits to your care team become more frequent — happening every two weeks until you're 36 weeks ...

  8. Prenatal care: 1st trimester visits

    Your next prenatal visits — often scheduled about every four weeks during the first trimester — might be shorter than the first. Near the end of the first trimester — by about 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy — you might be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a small device, called a Doppler, that bounces sound waves off your baby's heart.

  9. How often do you need prenatal visits? We have answers

    Up to 28 weeks: one prenatal visit every 3-5 weeks. Weeks 28 through 36: one prenatal visit every 2-3 weeks. Weeks 36 to delivery: one prenatal visit at least weekly. Some prenatal visits can be completed virtually. Check with your doctor about that option. At each routine visit, you are weighed, receive a blood pressure and urine check, and ...

  10. Prenatal Appointments: What to Expect

    28 to 36 Weeks Prenatal Care Appointments . Hello, third trimester! Your prenatal visits will now increase to every two weeks until you hit the 36-week mark. Your OB/GYN will continue to check your blood pressure, weight, and baby's heartbeat, but will also focus on your baby's position (head-down versus breech).

  11. Prenatal care: 2nd trimester visits

    After 20 weeks of pregnancy, this measurement in centimeters often matches the number of weeks you've been pregnant, plus or minus 2 centimeters. Listen to your baby's heartbeat. At second trimester visits, you might hear your baby's heartbeat using a Doppler instrument. The Doppler instrument detects motion and conveys it as sound.

  12. What To Expect at Your First Prenatal Visit

    Generally, it's recommended to have follow-up visits as follows: Every four weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy. Every two to three weeks from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

  13. Prenatal care: 3rd trimester visits

    Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, especially as your due date approaches. Your health care provider might ask you to schedule prenatal care appointments during your third trimester about every 2 or 4 weeks, depending on your health and pregnancy history. Starting at 36 weeks, you'll need weekly checkups until you deliver.

  14. Prenatal care and tests

    Prenatal care and tests. Medical checkups and screening tests help keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy. This is called prenatal care. It also involves education and counseling about how to handle different aspects of your pregnancy. During your visits, your doctor may discuss many issues, such as healthy eating and physical activity ...

  15. Prenatal Care

    Download transcript. Your first prenatal care appointment will most likely be between weeks 7 and 12. After that, as long as your pregnancy is going normally, you'll have prenatal visits — either in person, online, or by phone — at about: 16 to 20 weeks. 21 to 27 weeks. 28 to 31 weeks.

  16. Your Prenatal Care Appointments

    Overdue Pregnancy Visits . At 40 or 41 weeks of pregnancy, you may begin to see your midwife or doctor every few days. Here is what these visits may look like: Check your blood pressure; Listen for baby's heartbeat; Measure your fundal height to check baby's growth; Palpate to check baby's position (vertex, breech, posterior, etc.)

  17. Prenatal care checkups

    Weeks 4 to 28 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 4 weeks (once a month). Weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every 2 weeks (twice a month). Weeks 36 to 41 of pregnancy. Go for one checkup every week (once a week). If you have complications during pregnancy, your provider may want to see you more often.

  18. Prenatal care in your third trimester

    Routine Prenatal Visits. In your third trimester, you will have a prenatal visit every 2 weeks until week 36. After that, you will see your provider every week. The visits may be quick, but they are still important. It is OK to bring your partner or labor coach with you. During your visits, the provider will:

  19. Prenatal Visit Schedule: What To Expect During Each Appointment

    Prenatal Visit Schedule: Third Trimester During your third trimester, your prenatal visits will be every two weeks until the last month of your pregnancy, when you'll have them every week. So that means your prenatal visit schedule will look like this: 28 weeks 30 weeks 32 weeks 34 weeks 36 weeks 37 weeks 38 weeks 39 weeks 40 weeks What To ...

  20. What happens during prenatal visits?

    Early and regular prenatal visits help your health care provider monitor your health and the growth of the fetus. ... Before 28 weeks: Monthly: Weeks 28 to 36: Every 2 weeks: Week 36 to birth: Weekly: Later Prenatal Visits As your pregnancy progresses, your prenatal visits will vary greatly. During most visits, you can expect your health care ...

  21. PDF Guidelines for Routine Prenatal Care

    Prenatal care visits should occur with the following frequency: Prior to 20 weeks, ideally every 4 weeks but no less than every 6 weeks for lower-risk women. 20 to 28 weeks, every 4 weeks. 28 to 36 weeks, every 2-3 weeks, 3 weeks for lower-risk women. 36 weeks to delivery, at least every week. Urine dipstick for protein, glucose, and ketones ...

  22. Third Trimester Prenatal Doctor's Visits: What to Expect

    Prenatal visits. Between 28 to 36 weeks, patients come for prenatal visits every two weeks. Between 36 weeks until delivery, patients come in weekly for prenatal visits. During these visits, a patient's blood pressure is checked. Sometimes a urine test is also done. The purpose of these tests is to monitor for gestational hypertension (high ...

  23. When do prenatal visits go to every 2 weeks?

    Pregnancy Week 37. Pregnancy Week 38. Pregnancy Week 39. Pregnancy Week 40. Pregnancy Week 41. Pregnancy Week 42. My first born was 10 years ago so I forgot lol .

  24. 3 week old feedings

    If your baby is doing this too then I would say to just let them tell you when they are hungry! Unless baby is sleeping way too long since last feed, I think you're good! Like. b. bean2rainbow. May 12, 2024 at 3:30 PM. during the day I unswaddle her every 2 hours or so, so she can show me cues if hungry.

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    Beef is an excellent source of nutrients important for maternal health and fetal development. It is also true that the Mediterranean diet is beneficial for the health of both the mother and offspring; however, the relative value of fresh beef intake within Mediterranean diet patterns during pregnancy is unknown. The objective of this project was two-fold: (1) assess the relationship between ...